let's talk about the debt ceiling. is it an overrated crisis? our next guest is from austin, texas, james galbraith, university of texas economist. also the author of "inequality and instability." we want to talk to but the debt ceiling, particularly entitlements, james. what is your sense, if today and now is not the time to cut entitlements, when is the time to cut entitlements? >> i don't think it's a good idea, from the standpoint of the future of the american economy to reduce the security that people expect in their old age. so we're talking about social security here. talking about mid care. we're talking about medicaid. these are foundations for the future life of most of the working population of the country at the moment. if you cut them, people will draw back in their current activity, at least to some degree. >> right. >> so you're basically saying you're going to do something which will squeeze people's living standards out in the future. it will not have any direct effect today on economic activity. except to the extent that people